9 Ways to have the most Productive Morning Ever

The last 4 years at university have taught me something about myself: I am a morning person. If I expect to do something, and do it well, I need to get my ass out of bed in the AM and just do it. Cuz my brain is useless after my afternoon nap.

But up until recently, I still had issues with having productivemornings.

Even though I’m up and about with the sun, it’s extremely hard for me to actually get anything done because procrastination grabs me by the balls as soon as I get up. Graphic, but true.

As soon as I open my eyes the I’ll-just-do-it-laters start making an appearance. And I fall for them EVERY time.

It seems that the more I have to do, the harder I find it to get anything done!

However, I haven’t had the luxury of putting things off this semester. I’m so busy all the time that I’ve actually had to make use of my mornings and get shit done. And today I’m gonna share how I do it.

The Night Before

1. Make a Plan

You want a productive morning. You don’t want to wake up early only to waste time trying to figure out what you should be doing.

Plan your morning the night before so you’ll be ready to dive right into your tasks.

Also, be mindful of the types of things you plan to do in the morning. If you’re like me, and produce quality work in the morning, go for it. If you’re groggy in the mornings and shouldn’t be expected to think, plan to do something that doesn’t require much of it. Maybe laundry, dishes, a workout etc.

2. Go to bed early

Get to sleep at a reasonable hour and you’ll get up at one too. Simple right? Wrong.

If you’re not used to going to sleep before 11pm, it’ll be a pretty hard habit to pick up. I’ve got a few tips though:

Don’t workout too late. All those endorphins in your body actually make it kind of hard to sleep.

Unplug an hour before bed (I should take my own advice)

Don’t give up. Your habits won’t magically disappear because you will them to. Keep trying to get to bed early and it’ll take eventually.

In the morning

3. Actually wake up early

I know not everyone wakes up at the crack of dawn like I do. If you’re used to waking up at noon, chances are you’re not gonna get up before that without some help. Set an alarm (or fifteen) to help you get up early. And please don’t rely on the snooze button.

If you don’t actually want to get up, there’s no way you’re pressing snooze. You’re gonna turn that sucker off and go straight back to sleep. I generally set multiple alarms on the off chance that I do this.

4. Get out of bed (and the bedroom)

Now that you’re up, GET UP. This one is the hardest for me to do. I fall asleep reading at night so when I wake up, I just pick right up where I left off in the book. Next thing I know, I’ve spent 2 and a half hours reading in bed instead of being productive, or I just fall back asleep.

I also can’t work in my bedroom in the mornings. The bed is too close and looks entirely too cozy for me to not crawl back in. If there’s work to be done in the morning, I head out to the living room or even go outside.

5. Get ready to face the day

Wash your face or take a shower to help you perk up and clear away any lingering sleepiness. It also helps to dress the part.

Even if you’re just working at home for a couple hours, you’ll be more productive if you get out of those jammies and into ‘real clothes’. You probably don’t need full makeup and heels but changing into something that doesn’t encourage lounging around or heading back to bed is a good idea.

6. Eat well

Have you ever tried to work while your stomach screams at you? It’s not fun, so don’t do it. Have something to eat before you get started so you can fuel your productive morning properly. Breakfast will also end up being something you look forward to, and it might be a little easier to get out of bed. Oh, and remember to stay hydrated!

While you work

7. Stay away from social media

It would suck if you got up early, all ready to be productive and then pissed away your morning on Facebook. Unless the work you planned to do requires social media or checking your email, stay away. It’s so easy to get sucked in and lose track of time, so avoid it! Same goes for your phone and the television.

8. Have proper posture

I mentioned working outside of the bedroom earlier, but please don’t move from the bed to the couch and expect to have a productive morning. You’ll probably just fall asleep again. Sit up or better yet, stand up, while you work. You’ll be more alert and probably more productive. And proper posture makes it easier to breathe, which is always good right?

9. Take Breaks

Studies have shown that we can only concentrate for sort periods at a time. Break up your work into chunks to avoid getting stuck or bored by what you’re doing. I like to take breaks every 30 minutes or so to walk around, grab some water and give my eyes a rest. When I get back into it, my brain is a little rested and I’m more alert and ready to get on with my productive morning.

What about you?

Are you a morning person or a night owl? Do you have productive mornings? Anymore tips?

Comments

I love these suggestions. I pretty much do all of these, but some mornings I am more productive if I grab a cup of coffee, put on some light music and just sit out on my deck. Other mornings, I like to workout and get my shower in. Just depends on the day I guess!Kayla recently posted…The Perfect Summer Pita {grill + clean + light}

I am a totalll morning person. I wake up every morning about 5am! Some days I’m super productive and other days I just kind of drift around and look out the windows… I like the tip about going outside – I think that could really help.Madaline recently posted…(Italy) It’s in the Sandals

Woah, I can’t remember the last time I woke up at 5am. I literally like to wake up with the sun, and sunrise is around 6 these days so that’s as early as I get up lol. But getting outside ASAP is my new mission. The ‘fresh’ morning air does a lot to keep me awake 😀

Getting up with the sun is a great idea! I definitely notice that I can’t sleep once the sun comes up..it’s only natural right??Amanda @ Diary of a Semi-Health Nut recently posted…Mini Greek Yogurt Pies

Great tips! I can’t say I’m a morning person, or a night owl. I’m usually at my best between 10-2, lol! Since moving to Barbados, where the sun is out bright and early, I’m definitely waking up earlier. Especially since the heat makes it impossible to get outdoor workouts done after 9am.Ree recently posted…barbados rum punch

Those are all really great tips! I follow much of those same rules (going to bed early, eating well, waking up early) too. I find that most days I don’t have too much trouble getting out of bed but it is always the hardest part! I feel better though once I do and after a cup of coffee or a workout I am ready to tackle the day!Annmarie recently posted…Healthy & Fit Travel: Boozing Smart

Great tips! I am NOT a morning person so this is something I want to work on. Right now I have to be at work at 7:00 am so I usually wake up as late as possible since that’s so early. When I start my new job in the fall I hope to give myself some time to be productive in the mornings!Kristen recently posted…Things Are Looking Up

If I had to be at work I probably wouldn’t get up any earlier than I am now lol. I like my mornings but I need to sleep as well haha Planning out your morning the night before can help when you have limited time though!
Hope the rest of the tips come in handy when you start your new job Kristen 🙂

Very practical & useful post. I am a morning person as well. The only thing I would add is … set your coffee pot on automatic so coffee is waiting & ready 🙂 Glad I visited from The SITS this morning. Have a great weekend!Joanne Viola recently posted…Of Beauty, Creativity & Faith

Such good suggestions! I’m a morning person as well, but I find that I *really* value sleep, so it’s important that I get to bed at a reasonable time in order for me to be functional. I think another thing that has helped me is to get up at the same time consistently each morning. That may not work for everyone, but for many it would if we have the discipline (still working on it myself!).
Thanks for sharing! {Stopping over from the SITS Girls linkup!}Naomi Liz recently posted…The Year I Hated Photography

Fantastic tips! I’m a night owl, but I force myself to get up early to get my work day started before everyone else comes in to the office. Completely agree with the making a list of items to do at the end of the day. I was so good at doing this for a while (at the end of my work day) and it really helped me improve my productivity. Now if I could only get to bed earlier!Leslie recently posted…{Friday Five}

I am a morning person – partially because I really do work better in the morning, partially out of necessity. I get up at 5 every morning because that’s the only way for me to do what I need to do but personally I wouldn’t mind if I could get up at 6, 630 every morning and be able to do everything!Ana Lynn recently posted…WordPress Blog Design Course Launch!

I am an early morning person, too. I am doing just what you wrote about – woke up early and I am still in bed reading blogs and commenting. OK – I am getting off the iPad after this comment! ((Smiles))

I’m definitely a night owl. I LOVE the mornings, but have yet to figure out how to get myself out of bed. I know that sounds lame, but I need to find an alarm I will hear and then NOT hit the snooze button.

There are some great ideas in this post and I’m going to give it another shot.Heather recently posted…Stepping Back in Time

I love this list! So perfect! I’m a morning person as well, but I got in some bad habits during the school year. I’m spending the summer reseting my clock and it’s been more difficult than I expected. Going to bed early is the hardest part and it makes me really frustrated because I’m not doing ANYTHING productive that hour before I finally make it into my bed. But it helps to have a plan for the morning, a Cliff bar in hand, and an early shower. Thanks for the tips!

Oh my gosh I can SO relate to this! I’m a morning person too, but I have to make a plan the night before if I expect to be productive and not just busy the next day. Staying away from social media is a MUST! Also, I work in chunks too (25-30mins), even though a lot of times I skip my breaks (sorry pomodoro). It’s such a process, but these things really help.
Thanks for the great post!
Bhttp://www.naughteebits.com

I am so completely not a morning person! But I think these things could help me even if I don’t get up until ten. Productive is productive whether it’s in the morning or not. And I am still sluggish no matter when I get up, so it’s nice to have something kick me in the butt to get going. I’ll be trying a few of these out. Thanks!

Happy Sharefest. I hope you have a lovely weekend.misssrobin recently posted…My Hysterectomy

Giselle, these tips are FABULOUS! And actually ones I follow, because I am WAY more productive in the morning. Actually any sort of thinking/work that needs to be done, MUST be done in the morning, between breakfast and lunch!

Going to bed early and quiet is what I need to stay focused. i can hang out in jimmies though, and actually showering and such distracts me from getting it done!Amber recently posted…IBS – Natural Remedy Options

Totally not what I do! I love the morning, and go to bed super early, but I stay in my room, I go on social media, I don’t need an alarm, but my plan works for me!Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…Friday Finisher 4/17/15

Great tips. I’m definitely a morning working person too. But I totally need to plan and get myself ready. If I stay home in my pajamas and decide to start the day with just one quick TV show, I’m done and I’ll be so unproductive the rest of the day.Jen @ Pretty Little Grub recently posted…FYI Friday – 5 most common weight loss mistakes

Oh, I hear ya Jen! It’s so easy to derail a good day by just watching one show, or checking one email, or reading on more chapter of the book I fell asleep reading. Good intentions are only half the battle haha

These are great tips!! Actually getting up early when the alarm goes off is the hardest for me….I just want to sleep!! Normally the thought of coffee will drag me up. 😛Kate @KateMovingForward recently posted…How I earned $500 from Blogging during March

I love the reminder about taking breaks! I used to work at my desk all morning and feel groggy by lunch. Now I take a 15-minute walk break with a coworker and feel so energized!Maureen recently posted…Whole30 Days 11-20 {The New Normal}

I think you just changed my whole perspective on the alarm. You are right, if I want to get up, I need to get up, not turn off the alarm and wait for the next alarm to go off. I’m going to try so hard to change this because I think I would get so much done in the am!Sam @ PancakeWarriors recently posted…10 Tips for a Bikini Body

I am definitely a morning person. I get up and turn the light on to try to wake up. Then I go to the gym first thing so I have energy and focus to start the day 🙂Nicole @ Fitful Focus recently posted…Fabletics April Collection

I’ve resigned myself to the fact that I will never be a morning exerciser BUT I do want to try to wake up earlier to just sit and have coffee and read a book or something – and start my day off slowly. We’ll see!Patty @ Reach Your Peak recently posted…My Trip To Paraguay

Totally a morning person! And I love it =) I love seeing the sunrise and that great energy I have first thing in the morning. I am normally my most productive in the mornings – especially if I get a good workout in.
I have noticed the odd occasion where I haven’t been productive and had no clue where the morning went, but I think I can pinpoint it to the computer! That’s such a great tip. I will definitely stay away and set aside time in the afternoon for it as I can see the difference.kimmythevegan recently posted…Healthy Vegan Friday #43

I’m definitely more of a morning person now. But that’s because my kids are up so early. I’d much rather sleep in a bit but what can you do! The littles rule the house.Stephanie (@FitMomTraining) recently posted…Mayhem Monday: Battling the ‘Mill